In this photo by Kyle Hunter, Anthony Elchert tries to crank Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy's Mike Rattay to his back in their 103-pound seventh place match at the OHSAA state tournament. Rattay scored 4 points in the third period to edge Elchert 8-7. It's the fifth straight year Arcadia has produced a state placer. Click here for an mp3 file with Anthony's thoughts on the state tournament. Download Elchert
Van Buren’s Chad Sonnenberg, seen above with a head-and-arm pinning combination against Johnstown-Monroe’s Keith Tanner, finished seventh in the Division III 140-pound class for the Black Knights. He was Van Buren’s first state placer since 1983 when Ned Heminger and Todd Gorrill both finished fourth in Class A. Here are Chad's thoughts on his first trip to the state tournament. Download Sonnenberg
Bluffton’s Tyler Rayl (above) tries to get away from Doylestown Chippewa’s Bryson Hall during their 152-pound Division III consolation semifinal match. Rayl, a junior, finished fifth in his weight class. Below is teammate Kyle Begg (left) wrestling against Johnstown Monroe’s Keith Tanner in their seventh place match at 135 pounds. Begg was seventh at state for the second straight year. Bluffton now leads the area with 32 state wrestling tournament place winners during their program’s history. Here are the post tournament interviews with Begg, Rayl and Bluffton coach Jeff Kleman. Download BeggRaylKleman
Findlay High School's Michael Alexander ended his first trip to the OHSAA state tournament with a seventh place finish in Division I at 171 pounds. In the photo at right, Alexander has Columbus St. Charles’ Patrick Rigsby’s leg high in the air prior to taking him back to the mat. Alexander was disqualified in his quarterfinal match against Mayfield’s Cory Davis when he was called for an illegal slam 43 seconds into their bout. Davis went on to finish second in the weight class.Losing a close decision in the finals The quarterfinal loss stuck with Alexander the entire weekend. Hear his post-match comments here. Download Alexander
St. Wendelin’s J.J. Hrabak (right) ties up the arm of North Lima South Range’s Beau Bowden, who grimaces in pain, during their Division III 171-pound consolation semifinal match. Hrabak became the Mohawks’ fourth state placer when ended up sixth this weekend. He finished with a career record of 127-42. St. Wendelin coach Bryan Lippert talks about Hrabak’s performance. Download Lippert
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